Can't get the hood open on 300CD
 

Wow, my first post on this forum! I just got my 1985 300CD & can't get the hood open. The release inside broke off to make matters worse. I searched these forums but didn't find anything that I hadn't tried. The pliers/vice-grips on the cable doesn't seem to work.
This is frustrating because we had the hood open the day before. Imade sure to close & latch it completely before the flatbed ride to my house. Now it's in my shed & I can't get at the goods under the hood. Any suggestions/tricks are appreciated (i.e. do I need to pull on the cable while having someone work the release in the grill?).
This maybe doesn't fit the diesel section, that well, but we seem to be more 'in-tune' with our vehicles than others.

Thanks, & adios to my posting virginity.

can't help ya with your particular prob, but....
Welcome the the gang:cool:
This is a good bunch to toss this question out to. If someone here can't fix it, it can't be fixed;)
And of course we do require all new members to post pix of their ride, along with all the details:D

A can opener. LOL
 

Hello underp2
Need more data.
Is this your first Mercedes Benz?
What part of the release inside broke off? Cable or lever?
What did you try?
Are both sides locked down, or is one released?
Did you use the pliers/vice-grips on the metal cable or the plastic sheath, or both?

If both sides of the hood are above the fender, and the release in the grill has popped out, you use the grill pull tab to release the secondary latch and open the hood.

1. Yes, this is my first benz.
2. The part in side that broke off was the lever (this may have alredy been broken as it was very loose when it came off.
3. I tried pulling on the cable with a pair of pliers. Not sure how hard of a pull is needed (don't want to break anything else). I can pull the cable as well as push it back into the sheath, so that seems to be OK. Maybe the latch mechanism itself needs to be lubed heavily.
4. The drivers side is definitely locked down. The passengers side has more clearance, but has not 'popped up'.
5. I used the pliers on the cable & the cylinder at the end of the cable. I did not pull on the plastic sheath.

Also: I am expecting the hood to pop up slightly when released & the hood tab to pop forward. When this happens, you pull the hood tab out further to a more extended position & the hood releases entirely. Is this correct? Are there any other ways to get it to open?

Hi Underp2

I know on mine the hood does not pop-up
only the tab in the grill is exposed.
And I need to pull up at same time I
pull the tab out.

This could be because I need to grease the
lock and hinges,which I need to do some time
soon.

Louis.
83 300 TDT.

I also tried pulling out the tab in the grill (even though it hadn't popped out), while lifting the hood. No luck. I think the cable has not released the latch, or the latch is stuck & doesn't care whether the cable pulls on it or not.
All troubleshooting & repairs are now on hold until I can get the hood open.
:confused:

is there any way to get at the hood latch from underneath, or completely inaccessible?

If you can't get it open any other way, just break a hole in the grill and release the latch. The plastic grill parts are surprisingly cheap to replace.

Not sure if I can stomach intentionally breaking something on a car that already needs repairs (2 steps backwards, 1 step forward?).

There is enough information here to open your hood.
 

Hello underp2
There is enough information here to open your hood.
I will not duplicate this information.
The first three links should fix your problem.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes-forum/79704-emergency-broken-hood-release-cable.html?highlight=hood+latch

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/75794-hood-release-wont-work.html?highlight=hood+latch

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/64522-opening-hood-without-latches.html?highlight=hood+latch

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/57067-hood-cable-latch.html?highlight=hood+latch

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/70037-help-cannot-open-hood.html?highlight=hood+latch

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/82774-hood-release-cable-post536724.html#post536724

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/84456-lubricating-hood-latches-hinges.html?highlight=hood+latch

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/67792-hood-release-latch-wont-open-hood-first-try.html?highlight=hood+latch

welcome to another member from Mass..!

if the cable itself is not broken get a large pair of visegrips and
grab onto it from inside the car and yank - it should pop the mechanism behind the grill.
may take some force to do it.
good luck.

got it!
 

Thanks, whunter:)

I read through the other threads & the suggestion of having someone push down on the hood while I pulled the cable with the vice-grip was the least destructive, so I tried that first. It worked, and now my project begins.

Thanks for the help, not sure why I couldn't find those threads when I did my original searches.

hehe ,vice grips , one of the best tools invented:)

This also took more force than I had expected. Anyone have a trick for getting the sheared bolt out, and/or re-attaching the handle of the hood release (interior)?

i think you need to buy a replacement handle. i have my cable taped into the broken handle as is is riveted to the assembly that attaches to the car body. maybe you could take the whole thing out and drill out the bad rivet and replace it with a bolt & nut but am not sure how much clearance there is in there.

First to underp2, welcome to the forum.
Buy the service manuals. They are a must if you a DIY.
Or if your going to tinker on your 300CD. You really want the manuals. I prefer the paper manuals but own the CD for the W123. Untill you get your very own copy here is a link to a 300D service manual that you can spend hours learning about your car. IF you have the computer savvy you can copy all the PDF files, put them on a CD and you have your manual, sort of. This is for the 4 door sedan, not your CD. But 90% of it will apply

http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/123_DISK2/program/123-cd-index.html

A link about the cars, different body and engine types.

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

300SDLLLL
Ok somewhere in the service manual I am directing our new member to get. there is probably a job number for lubricating the cables in the car. But I have not recalled seeing it. How do you lube your cables? What lubricant do you use and how. Should I lube the 240D AC cables, idle adjust cable and hood cable? 300TD does not have the first 2 so I'm new to this area ( and I haven't done my 300TD hood cable, don't tell anyone). Your input would be appreciated.

Dave

Bump
 

For new members. :)
Do not get caught with a hood that will not open. :eek:
Hood cables go bad, latches need lubrication.